〜ます / dictionary form

non-past verb

The non-past form of verbs, used for the present, for habits and for the future. 〜ます is polite; the dictionary form is plain.

Readings

How to form it

The dictionary form is the verb as a dictionary lists it: 食(た)べる, 行(い)く, する. Use it in casual speech and before most patterns.
The polite form ends in ます. See the ます form for how to make it.
One form covers habits and the future: 食(た)べます can mean "I eat" or "I will eat".
For something happening right now, use 〜ている: 今(いま)食(た)べています (I'm eating now).

ichidan

食(た)べる(to eat)食(た)べます

godan

行(い)く(to go)行(い)きます

irregular

する(to do)します

毎日(まいにち)走(はし)ります。

I run every day.

明日(あした)、東京(とうきょう)に行(い)く。

I'm going to Tokyo tomorrow. (plain)

Choose the register from the situation: ます with strangers, colleagues and anyone you should be polite to, and the dictionary form with friends and family.
In a polite sentence, only the final verb needs ます. Verbs inside the sentence usually stay plain: 日本(にほん)に行(い)くつもりです.

Switching between ます and the dictionary form from one sentence to the next when talking to the same person.